Kimberly Keese has over three decades of experience in the specialty food industry. In her 15 years as a cheesemonger she first fell in love with the world of cheese under the tutelage of a Zingerman’s Deli alumni. She loved introducing and educating her customers to the exquisite taste experiences and deep history of great cheeses. This passion led her to spearheading the cheese department of Dean & Deluca in their first initial expansion into the Washington DC metropolitan area. In 1994 she was inducted into the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. 

Kimberly’s experience took her into specialty food distribution where she demonstrated the ability to work with multi-location and independent retailers, and with chefs at fine dining restaurants, caterers, and hotels to secure high volume sales in competitive environments. Working with cheesemakers and small producers to promote their products with the ever growing market for artisanal offerings continued to drive her career. She had the opportunity to work for Vermont Creamery and Old Chatham Creamery in regional and national sales. This was a dream come true to work to work with producers who had forged the early path for the American Artisanal Cheese industry.  

Along the way, Kimberly also became certified as a massage practitioner, worked in video production, performed as a Drag King, and facilitates a racial justice film discussion group. In her spare time she loves eating her home-grown tomatoes in season, walking her dog, and is a voracious film lover.